Electric soldering tool



Sept. 17, 1935. J. D, FoRNEY 2,014,728

'ELECTRIC SOLDERING TOOL Filed' Aug. 27, 1954 INVENTOR www Patented Sept. 17, v1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE I 2,014,72a ELECTRIC soLDERING '.rooL James Donovan Forney, Fort Collins, Colo. Application August 27', 1934, serial No. '141,621

4 Claims.

The invention relates to improvements in soldering tools using a carbon point. The objects of the improvements are: rst to provide a simple, convenient method of .feeding flux-filled 5 or acid core solder in wire or strip form to the point of the tool; second, to provide a resistance coil built into an insulating handle to enable one to work on light delicate work in which an excess amount of heat is disastrous; third to have a cari0 bon point adjustably mounted to vary the extent of projection from the holder; fourth, to mount thefcarbon point so that it is reversible so as to permit either end thereof to be used; each end of said point being different, extending the usefulness of the tool to a broader variety of work.

This mounting alsofmakes possible quicker exchanges and replacements; fifth, to insulate the tool entirely so no part can make electrical contact except the carbon point, veliminating the E danger of shorting which would'injure the battery upon which the tool is used, or burn the wires of the tool. The insulation on the shank also prevents wastage of heat; sixth, to provide a means of holding a completey roll of solder to the handle of the tool; seventh, to provide a smaller bushing to be used in conjunction with the shank, fitting inside of said shank to hold a smaller carbon point, of such diameter as to permit one to work on articles that are otherwise inaccessible with 30. the main point; and eighth, the provision of a method of preventing the heat generated at the point and transferred to the shank from entering the handle, which being wood as a rule, will scorch with excess heat. This also keeps the heat nearer the point which makes for a more eiicient tool and makes possible the use of a highlyjconductive metal, such as copper, in the shank. l v

In carrying out the objects of the invention generally stated here, it will be understood that theessential features are necessarily susceptible to changes in details and structural arrangements, certain preferred embodiments of which are shown in the accompanying drawing, wherein: Figure 1 is a longitudinal Isectional view through the center of the improved tool. i

Figure 2 is an end view from the electrode end. Figure 3 is a sectional view of the small size carbon point with bushing for use in conjunction with the main shank. Figure 4 is a side elevation illustrating the method of use on average materials.

The soldering tool comprises a handle I of some f insulating material such as wood; a metal tube 3 preferably of copper, one end of which is driven into said handle, the other end being split lengthwise at I8 (cuts being on opposite side of tube) about one inch to admit the carbon point 6 which .is of practically the same bore as the inside of said tubing. The tubing 3 is partially cut at I1, about four cuts as shown being sufficient to prevent 5 excess heat from entering the handle I; these louvers or cuts also keep the heat nearer the point, as copper which is usually used is highly conductive. Each of the four cuts extends approximately one third the distance thru the tube. l0 A conductor 28 extends into the chamber 2| oi the handle I, and fastens to the tubing 3 at I0. The resistance coil 20 slides over the conductor 28, being insulated from said conductor by asbestos 32, or other suitable material. One end of rel5 sistance coil 2o fastens to the tubing 3 at 22; the other end of said coil projecting from handle I, making a loop I9, such that a spring clip can be fastened toit. The tube 3 is covered with asbestos 4, or other suitable material, then held in place 20 by a metalcovering v5. A

' The solder guiding tube I4 is mounted on this sheet metal covering 5. A slight groove 2 is cut in the handle, to help hold the solder I3. The

solder spool holder I5 is mounted at the back of 25` the handle I, and held in place by slots on opposite sides of handle I, running parallel with said handle, and holes I6, I6, of shallow depth, in

ywhich the ends of said solder holder tit.

The conductor 28 has a rubber insulator 21 30 where it leaves the handle and has on its outer end a spring clip 30 which fastens to the negative terminal of the battery 23. The other conductor 29 has both ends provided with spring clips I I and 3l, respectively. Clip 3| fastens to the posi- 35 tivelterminal of the battery 23. For average work the spring clip I I fastens to the object, such as 24, to be soldered. The contact is then made by. touching the carbonpoint 6 to the object to be soldered, as illustrated in Figure 4. l 40 For soldering delicate work such as jewelry, special radio work, etc., where an excessive amount of heat must be avoided, spring clip- II fastens to the resistance coil 20 at I9, and spring cup 3c is disconnected. The object to be soldered 45 is then brought in contact with the negative terminal, either by touching directly to theterrninal or using another wire for contact, or since the tool is intended to be used primarily on automobiles. 50 can be brought inA contact with any bare metal 'on the framework on the car.

In Figure l, numeral 1 refers to the chisel point on carbon 6, said carbon being reversible, making a still wider variety of uses for the tool. Thus 55 special work can be done that cannot be' accomplished otherwise.

In Figure 1, numeral 9 indicates the sheathing covering the two conductors and holding them `together where convenient to do so. The spool of solder is indicated by numeral i2.

Referring to Figure 3, numeral Il indicates a bushing which fits into the tubular shank I and holds a carbon point 26, which is approximately one-half the diameter of the carbon point S.

This small carbon enables one to do work that V is inaccessible with the larger one.

'I'he solder is fed to the point of the tool by a firm forward pressure of the thumb applied at groove 2 on the handle I. Solder can also be quickly returned from the point by a backward motion of the thumb.

The solder touches the carbon point lli at the' groove 8, and being surroundedv on. three sides by the point it is quickly fused to "proper mperature for the soldering and runs -i'eadily into place on the automatically heated article to be soldered. Since the solder touches the carbon point at only' a small space, about one-eighth inch, and is open on one side, there is no trouble caused by the solder sticking or clogging; or on the other hand melting and allowing the acid or flux to escape or fuse before touching the article to be soldered. Thus there is no waste oi' solder even when the tool becomes excessively hot as the solder guiding tube il is so tilted that it draws the solder abruptly from the groove and away from the work. This angle being governed by bending the tube I4 to conform with the projection of the carbon from the tubular shank 3.

I am aware that prior to my invention, electric soldering irons using a carbon point were in existence, therefore I do not claim such broadly; but

I claim:

1. A soldering tool of the nature described comf prising an insulating handle having a chamber extending parallel thru its center, a partially split metal tubular shank projecting from and fastened to one Aendl oi.' said handle, a conductor connected to one end of said tube or shank, a carbon point or pencil fitted in the other or split end, an in- 5 sulating material covering the exposed tube, a metal sheeting or tubing covering said insulation, a solder guiding-tube mounted on said sheeting.

l2. A soldering tube of the nature described comprising an insulating handle having a chamber lo extending parallel thru its center, a resistance coil mounted in said chamber and fastened at' one end to the tubular shank, an insulating sheath covering the inside of said coil, and an extension of said coil to the outside of saidhandle such that 15 by proper use of the conductors, a resistance can be introduced in the circuit `to carbon point; an extra conductor, on each end ol which .is incurs-temi a spring clip.

iriering tool of the nature described ccm- $0 urisine i insulating handle, shank projecting fr in one with loutere or grooves cu sides, e.. sollt arrangement o f .it ci proper B5 bore, a groove cut in one ond oi said ai l chisel point on the opposite end, a mounting oi' said carbon pencil in said split tubular shank. auch that the pencil is reversible and the projection from said tubular shank is eus'iy adjustable to 30 the work at hand.

4. A soldering tool of the nature described couiprising un insulating haniile7 a solder guiding groove in said handle. together with a solder spool holding device mounted on said handle, a 35 partially split tubular :shank extending from, and gripped by said handle, e. bushing to slip into said tubular shank, and a carbon pencil of smaller diameter to fit into said bushing.

J. D. FORNEY. 4() 

